Occurrence, Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance-Associated Markers in Campylobacter Species Isolated from Retail Fresh Milk and Water Samples in Two District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Campylobacter species are among the major bacteria implicated in human gastrointestinal infections and are majorly found in faeces of domestic animals, sewage discharges and agricultural runoff. These pathogens have been implicated in diseases outbreaks through consumption of contaminated milk and water in some parts of the globe and reports on this is very scanty in the Eastern Cape Province. Hence, this study evaluated the occurrence as well as virulence and antimicrobial-associated makers of Campylobacter species recovered from milk and water samples. A total of 56 water samples and 72 raw milk samples were collected and the samples were processed for enrichment in Bolton broth and incubated for 48 h in 10% CO2 at 42 °C under microaerobic condition. Thereafter, the enriched cultures were further processed and purified. After which, presumptive Campylobacter colonies were isolated and later confirmed by PCR using specific primers for the detection of the genus Campylobacter, target species and virulence associated genes. Antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolates were determined by disk diffusion method against a panel of 12 antibiotics and relevant genotypic resistance genes were assessed by PCR assay. A total of 438 presumptive Campylobacter isolates were obtained; from which, 162 were identified as belonging to the genus Campylobacter of which 36.92% were obtained from water samples and 37.11% from milk samples. The 162 confirmed isolates were further delineated into four species, of which, 7.41%, 27.16% and 8.64% were identified as C. fetus, C. jejuni and C. coli respectively. Among the virulence genes screened for, the iam (32.88%) was most prevalent, followed by flgR (26.87%) gene and cdtB and cadF (5.71% each) genes. Of the 12 antibiotics tested, the highest phenotypic resistance displayed by Campylobacter isolates was against clindamycin (95.68%), while the lowest was observed against imipenem (21.47%). Other high phenotypic resistance displayed by the isolates were against erythromycin (95.06%), followed by ceftriaxone (93.21%), doxycycline (87.65%), azithromycin and ampicillin (87.04% each), tetracycline (83.33%), chloramphenicol (78.27%), ciprofloxacin (77.78%), levofloxacin (59.88%) and gentamicin (56.17%). Relevant resistance genes were assessed in the isolates that showed high phenotypic resistance, and the highest resistance gene harbored by the isolates was catII (95%) gene while VIM, KPC, Ges, bla-OXA-48-like, tetC, tetD, tetK, IMI and catI genes were not detected. The occurrence of this pathogen and the detection of virulence and antimicrobial resistance-associated genes in Campylobacter isolates recovered from milk/water samples position them a risk to human health.

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Campylobacteriosis Agents in Meat Carcasses Collected from Two District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9020203 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 203 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Aboi Igwaran ◽

Anthony I. Okoh

Keyword(s):

Resistance Genes ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

Potential Health ◽

Phenotypic Resistance ◽

Virulence Markers ◽

Campylobacter Species ◽

Meat Samples

Raw meats are sometimes contaminated with Campylobacter species from animal faeces, and meats have repeatedly been implicated in foodborne infections. This study evaluated the prevalence, virulence genes, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and resistance gene determinants in Campylobacter species isolated from retailed meat carcasses. A total of 248 raw meat samples were collected from butcheries, supermarkets, and open markets; processed for enrichment in Bolton broth; and incubated at 42 °C for 48 h in 10% CO2. Thereafter, the broths were streaked on modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar (mCCDA) plates and incubated at the same conditions and for the same amount of time. After incubation, colonies were isolated and confirmed by Polymerase chain reaction using specific oligonucleotide sequences used for the identification of the genus Campylobacter, species, and their virulence markers. The patterns of antimicrobial resistance profiles of the identified isolates were studied by disk diffusion method against 12 antibiotics, and relevant resistance genes were assessed by PCR. From culture, 845 presumptive Campylobacter isolates were obtained, of which 240 (28.4%) were identified as genus Campylobacter. These were then characterised into four species, of which C. coli had the highest prevalence rate (22.08%), followed by C. jejuni (16.66%) and C. fetus (3.73%). The virulence genes detected included iam (43.14%), cadF (37.25%), cdtB (23.53%), flgR (18.63%), and flaA (1.96%), and some of the isolates co-harboured two to four virulence genes. Of the 12 antibiotics tested, the highest phenotypic resistance displayed by Campylobacter isolates was against clindamycin (100%), and the lowest level of resistance was observed against imipenem (23.33%). The frequency of resistance genes detected included catll (91.78%), tetA (68.82%), gyra (61.76%), ampC (55%), aac(3)-IIa (aacC2)a (40.98%), tetM (38.71%), ermB (18.29%), tetB (12.90%), and tetK (2.15%). There is a high incidence of Campylobacter species in meat carcasses, suggesting these to be a reservoir of campylobacteriosis agents in this community, and as such, consumption of undercooked meats in this community is a potential health risk to consumers.

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Antimicrobial Resistance of EntericSalmonellain Bangui, Central African Republic

Journal of Tropical Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/483974 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Christian Diamant Mossoro-Kpinde ◽

Alexandre Manirakiza ◽

Jean-Robert Mbecko ◽

Pembé Misatou ◽

Alain Le Faou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Salmonella Enterica ◽

Central African Republic ◽

Disk Diffusion ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

Phenotypic Resistance ◽

Multiple Antibiotics

Introduction. The number ofSalmonellaisolated from clinical samples that are resistant to multiple antibiotics has increased worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of resistantSalmonella entericaisolated in Bangui.Methods. All entericSalmonellastrains isolated from patients in 2008 were identified and serotyped, and the phenotypes of resistance were determined by using the disk diffusion method. Nine resistance-associated genes,blaTEM,blaOXA,blaSHV,tetA,aadA1,catA1,dhfrA1,sul I, andsul II, were sought by genic amplification in sevenS.e. Typhimurium strains.Results. The 94 strains isolated consisted of 47S.e.Typhimurium (50%), 21S.e.Stanleyville (22%), 18S.e.Enteritidis (19%), 4S.e.Dublin (4%), 4S.e.Hadar (4%), and 1S.e.Papuana (1%). Twenty-five (28%) were multiresistant, including 20 of the Typhimurium serovar (80%). Two main phenotypes of resistance were found: four antibiotics (56%) and to five antibiotics (40%). OneS.e.Typhimurium isolate produced an extended-spectrumβ-lactamase (ESBL). Only seven strains ofS.e.Typhimurium could be amplified genically. Only phenotypic resistance to tetracycline and aminosides was found.Conclusion.S.Typhimurium is the predominant serovar of entericS. entericaand is the most widely resistant. The search for resistance genes showed heterogeneity of the circulating strains.

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Preliminary Results on the Prevalence of Salmonella Spp. in Marine Animals Stranded in Sicilian Coasts: Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile and ARGs Detection in the Isolated Strains

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10080930 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 930

Author(s):

Delia Gambino ◽

Sonia Sciortino ◽

Sergio Migliore ◽

Lucia Galuppo ◽

Roberto Puleio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Antibiotic Susceptibility ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Salmonella Spp ◽

Marine Animals ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

Phenotypic Resistance ◽

Low Prevalence

The presence of Salmonella spp. in marine animals is a consequence of contamination from terrestrial sources (human activities and animals). Bacteria present in marine environments, including Salmonella spp., can be antibiotic resistant or harbor resistance genes. In this study, Salmonella spp. detection was performed on 176 marine animals stranded in the Sicilian coasts (south Italy). Antibiotic susceptibility, by disk diffusion method and MIC determination, and antibiotic resistance genes, by molecular methods (PCR) of the Salmonella spp. strains, were evaluated. We isolated Salmonella spp. in three animals, though no pathological signs were detected. Our results showed a low prevalence of Salmonella spp. (1.7%) and a low incidence of phenotypic resistance in three Salmonella spp. strains isolated. Indeed, of the three strains, only Salmonella subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium from S. coeruleoalba and M. mobular showed phenotypic resistance: the first to ampicillin, tetracycline, and sulphamethoxazole, while the latter only to sulphamethoxazole. However, all strains harbored resistance genes (blaTEM, blaOXA, tet(A), tet(D), tet(E), sulI, and sulII). Although the low prevalence of Salmonella spp. found in this study does not represent a relevant health issue, our data contribute to the collection of information on the spread of ARGs, elements involved in antibiotic resistance, now considered a zoonosis in a One Health approach.

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WGS based analysis of acquired antimicrobial resistance in human and non-human Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from a German perspective

BMC Microbiology ◽

10.1186/s12866-021-02270-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Gamal Wareth ◽

Christian Brandt ◽

Lisa D. Sprague ◽

Heinrich Neubauer ◽

Mathias W. Pletz

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽

Genome Sequencing ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

In Silico ◽

Acquired Resistance ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Chromosomal Gene ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Carbapenemase Gene

Abstract Background Acinetobacter baumannii ability to develop and acquire resistance makes it one of the most critical nosocomial pathogens globally. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was applied to identify the acquired or mutational variants of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in 85 German A. baumannii strains utilizing Illumina technology. Additionally, the whole genome of 104 German isolates deposited in the NCBI database was investigated. Results In-silico analysis of WGS data revealed wide varieties of acquired AMR genes mediating resistance mostly to aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, carbapenems, sulfonamides, tetracyclines and macrolides. In the 189 analyzed genomes, the ant (3″)-IIa conferring resistance to aminoglycosides was the most frequent (55%), followed by blaADC.25 (38.6%) conferring resistance to cephalosporin, blaOXA-23 (29%) and the blaOXA-66 variant of the intrinsic blaOXA-51-likes (26.5%) conferring resistance to carbapenems, the sul2 (26%) conferring resistance to sulfonamides, the tet. B (19.5%) conferring resistance to tetracycline, and mph. E and msr. E (19%) conferring resistance to macrolides. blaTEM variants conferring resistance to cephalosporins were found in 12% of genomes. Thirteen variants of the intrinsic blaOXA-51 carbapenemase gene, blaOXA-510 and blaADC-25 genes were found in isolates obtained from dried milk samples. Conclusion The presence of strains harboring acquired AMR genes in dried milk raises safety concerns and highlights the need for changes in producing dried milk. Acquired resistance genes and chromosomal gene mutation are successful routes for disseminating AMR determinants among A. baumannii. Identification of chromosomal and plasmid-encoded AMR in the genome of A. baumannii may help understand the mechanism behind the genetic mobilization and spread of AMR genes.

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Detection of antimicrobial resistance genes of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Escherichia coli isolated from the water supply of smallholder dairy farms in Saraburi and Maha Sarakham, Thailand

International Journal of One Health ◽

10.14202/ijoh.2020.1-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Natapol Pumipuntu ◽

Sangkom Pumipuntu

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Water Samples ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

E Coli ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae ◽

Smallholder Dairy Farms

Background and Aim: The problem of antimicrobial resistance of bacteria in both humans and animals is an important public health concern globally, which is likely to increase, including in Thailand, where carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), such as Escherichia coli, are of particular concern. They are pathogens found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and other animals as well as in the environment. They may cause opportunistic infection and are often resistant to antibiotics in various fields especially in animal husbandry, such as pets or livestock farms. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of carbapenem-resistant E. coli from water samples of smallholder dairy farms in Saraburi and Maha Sarakham, Thailand. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four water samples were collected from 32 dairy farms in Kaeng Khoi district, Muak Lek district, and Wang Muang district of Saraburi Province, and Kantharawichai district and Mueang district of Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand. All samples were cultured and isolated for E. coli by biochemical tests. All E. coli isolates were tested for drug susceptibility using imipenem, meropenem, and drug resistance genes of carbapenemases such as blaNDM, blaIMP, and blaOXA48 of drug-resistant E. coli isolates detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Results: A total of 182 E. coli isolates were found (140 and 42 isolates from Saraburi and Maha Sarakham, respectively). Drug sensitivity tests found that two isolates of E. coli from water in Kaeng Khoi were resistant to imipenem; therefore, the incidence of E. coli resistance to carbapenem was 1.43% of Saraburi Province. On the other hand, there was no incidence of drug-resistant E. coli in Maha Sarakham. In addition, the detection of the drug-resistant gene of E. coli in both isolates by PCR showed the expression of blaNDM. Conclusion: This study reports E. coli resistance to antimicrobial drugs on livestock farms. It can be considered to be the first report of E. coli CRE detection in a dairy farm at Saraburi, which should be the subject of further extended study.

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Antibiogram Profile of Acinetobacterbaumannii Recovered from Selected Freshwater Resources in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10091110 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1110

Author(s):

Mary Ayobami Adewoyin ◽

Kingsley Ehi Ebomah ◽

Anthony Ifeanyi Okoh

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Food Plants ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Eastern Cape Province ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Freshwater Resources ◽

Acinetobacter Species ◽

Hospital Environments

Acinetobacter species have been found in a variety of environments, including soil, food, plants, hospital environments and water. Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic and emerging waterborne pathogen. It has been implicated in several nosocomial infections that demonstrate resistance to commonly administered antibiotics. We investigated phenotypic antibiotic resistance (PAR) and relevant antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in A. baumannii isolated from three freshwater resources in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa; A. baumannii (410) was confirmed by the recA and gyrB genes of 844 suspected Acinetobacter species in the water samples. The PAR of the confirmed isolates was assessed using a panel of 11 antibiotics by the disc diffusion method, while ARGs were investigated in isolates exhibiting PAR. The A. baumannii isolates were resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam (11.2%), ceftazidime (12%), cefotaxime (18.8%), cefepime (8.8%), imipenem (2.7%), meropenem (4.15%), amikacin (2.4%), gentamicin (8.8%), tetracycline (16.8%), ciprofloxacin (11%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (20.5%). For multidrug resistance (MDR), two isolates were resistant to all antibiotics and 28 isolates were resistant to imipenem and meropenem. Moreover, β-lactamases blaTEM (64.4%) and blaOXA-51 (28.70%) as well as sulphonamides sul1 (37.1%) and sul2 (49.4%) were common ARGs. Overall, PAR and ARGs had positive correlations (r) in all rivers. Detection of MDR-A. baumannii in freshwater resources could be linked to possible wastewater discharge from the nearby animal farms, indicating potential implications for public health.

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Virulence Gene Profile, Antimicrobial Resistance and Multilocus Sequence Typing of Salmonella enterica Subsp. enterica Serovar Enteritidis from Chickens and Chicken Products

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani12010097 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 97

Author(s):

Zunita Zakaria ◽

Latiffah Hassan ◽

Zawiyah Sharif ◽

Norazah Ahmad ◽

Rohaya Mohd Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Multilocus Sequence Typing ◽

Salmonella Enteritidis ◽

Molecular Subtypes ◽

Actin Binding ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Genetic Characteristics ◽

Meat Samples ◽

Sequence Types

This study was undertaken to determine the virulence, antimicrobial resistance and molecular subtypes of Salmonella in the Central Region of Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 45 Salmonella Enteritidis were detected from live chicken (cloacal swab), and chicken products (fresh and ready-to-eat meat) samples upon cultural isolation and serotyping. Similarly, an antimicrobial susceptibility test based on the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method as well as antimicrobial resistance AMR genes, virulence determinants and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) typing were conducted after the Whole Genome Sequencing and analysis of the isolates. The results indicate that sequence types ST1925 (63.7%), and ST11 (26.5%) were the predominant out of the seven sequence types identified (ST292, ST329, ST365, ST423 and ST2132). The phenotypic antimicrobial profile corresponds to the genotypic characterization in that the majority of the isolates that exhibited tetracycline, gentamycin and aminoglycoside resistance; they also possessed the tetC and blaTEM β-Lactam resistance genes. However, isolates from cloacal swabs showed the highest number of resistance genes compared to the chicken products (fresh and ready-to-eat meat) samples. Furthermore, most of the virulence genes were found to cluster in the Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI). In this study, all the isolates were found to possess SPI-1, which codes for the type III secretion system, which functions as actin-binding proteins (SptP and SopE). The virulence plasmid (VP) genes (spvB, spvC) were present in all genotypes except ST365. The findings of this study, particularly with regard to the molecular subtypes and AMR profiles of the Salmonella Enteritidis serotype shows multidrug-resistance features as well as genetic characteristics indicative of high pathogenicity.

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Staphylococci among Wild European Rabbits from the Azores: A Potential Zoonotic Issue?

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-19-423 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 83 (7) ◽

pp. 1110-1114 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

MARGARIDA SOUSA ◽

VANESSA SILVA ◽

ADRIANA SILVA ◽

NUNO SILVA ◽

JESSICA RIBEIRO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Meca Gene ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽

Spa Typing ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

Genetic Lineages ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽

European Rabbits

ABSTRACT The prevalence and diversity of Staphylococcus species from wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in the Azores were investigated, and the antibiotic resistance phenotype and genotype of the isolates were determined. Nasal samples from 77 wild European rabbits from São Jorge and São Miguel islands in Azores were examined. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, and the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors was determined by PCR. The genetic lineages of S. aureus isolates were characterized by spa typing and multilocus sequence typing. A total of 49 staphylococci were obtained from 35 of the 77 wild rabbits. Both coagulase-positive (8.2%) and coagulase-negative (91.8%) staphylococci were detected: 4 S. aureus, 17 S. fleurettii, 13 S. sciuri, 7 S. xylosus, 4 S. epidermidis, and 1 each of S. simulans, S. saprophyticus, S. succinus, and S. equorum. The four S. aureus isolates showed methicillin susceptibility and were characterized as spa type t272/CC121, Panton-Valentine leukocidin negative, and hlB positive. Most of the coagulase-negative staphylococci showed resistance to fusidic acid and beta-lactams, and multidrug resistance was identified especially among S. epidermidis isolates. The mecA gene was detected in 20 isolates of the species S. fleurettii and S. epidermidis, associated with the blaZ gene in one S. epidermidis isolate. Five antimicrobial resistance genes were detected in one S. epidermidis isolate (mecA,dfrA,dfrG,aac6′-aph2′′, and ant4). Our results highlight that wild rabbits are reservoirs or “temporary hosts” of Staphylococcus species with zoonotic potential, some of them carrying relevant antimicrobial resistances. HIGHLIGHTS

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Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated from Meat Carcasses and Bovine Milk in Abattoirs and Dairy Farms of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

10.20944/preprints201808.0272.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Ezekiel Green ◽

Abongile Pekana

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Bovine Milk ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Penicillin G ◽

Eastern Cape Province ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Biochemical Tests ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Antibiotic Susceptibility Test

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) occasionally threatens the life of the host as a persistent pathogen even though it is normal flora of humans and animals. We characterized drug resistance in S. aureus isolated from animal carcasses and milk samples from the abattoirs and dairy farms in the Eastern Cape Province. Methods: A 1000 meat swab samples and 200 raw milk samples were collected from selected abattoirs and dairy farms in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. S. aureus was isolated and positively identified using biochemical tests and confirmed by molecular methods. Antibiotic susceptibility test against 14 different antibiotics was performed against all isolates. Antibiotic resistance genes were also detected. Results: Of the 1200 samples collected, 134 (11.2%) samples were positive for S. aureus. Resistance ranged from 71.6% for penicillin G to 39.2% for tetracycline. Resistance gene (blaZ) was detected in 13 (14.9%), while msrA was found in 31 (52.5%) of S. aureus isolates. Conclusions: The present result shows the potential dissemination of multidrug-resistant S. aureus strains in the dairy farms and abattoirs in the Eastern Cape. Therefore, this implies that the organism may rapidly spread through food and pose serious public health risk

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Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bovine subclinical mastitis in central Ethiopia revealed the presence of antimicrobial resistance and resistant genes

10.21203/rs.3.rs-361426/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Desiye Tesfaye Tegegne ◽

Gezahegne Mamo ◽

Hika Waktole ◽

Gebrerufael Girmay

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Subclinical Mastitis ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Central Ethiopia ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract Background: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the predominant causative agents of mastitis disease in dairy herds. Mastitis disease has a negative impact in the economic losses in the dairy sector across the globe. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and detect antimicrobial resistance genes in the Staphylococcus aureus isolated from milk samples of subclinical bovine mastitis in Central Ethiopia.Methods: A total of 265 lactating dairy cows from various dairy farms in four different geographical locations were screened by California mastitis test (CMT) for bovine subclinical mastitis. One-hundred thirty CMT positive milk samples were collected and transported to laboratory. Different biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used for the identification of S. aureus isolates. Finally, phenotypic and genotypic methods were performed for detection of some antimicrobial resistance patterns and genes (mecA, ermA, ermC, and msrA), respectively. Results: From total of 265 lactating dairy cows screened, 49% (n=130) were positive for bovine subclinical mastitis. One-hundred thirty mastitic milk samples were subjected to bacterial culturing, one hundred (76%) S. aureus isolates were identified based on phenotypic characters. Sixty-eight confirmed S. aureus isolates were obtained using PCR. Of the sixty-eight isolates tested 12 samples were contained the methicillin resistance gene A (mecA). No amplification was observed for the erythromycin resistance genes (ermA, ermC, and msrA). Conclusion: The high resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to commonly used antimicrobials contribute in dairy farms may cause health problems in the community consuming raw milk purchased from these farms.

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